| ATALL | Lofty answer starts in any way (2,3) |
| TALE | It's hard to believe, for a start, in any way (4) |
| PRIDE | What's celebrated in June, or a hint to the starred answers' starts |
| MARCH | Surname of the Alcott characters at the starred answers' starts, or 2020 month in which women made all the Universal Crosswords |
| POKER | Game suggested by the starred answers' starts |
| TONTO | "The Lone Ranger" friend whose catchphrase can be heard at the starred answers' starts |
| CATTLE | Type of beast that each long answer starts or ends in? |
| NOHOW | Opposite of "in any way" (2 wds) |
| VEGAN | Person refraining from using animal products in any way (5) |
| HATED | Death in any way is detested |
| ONEOR | Someone or something unique or outstanding in any way (3-2) |
| RETCH | "If a topic makes you [...] laugh, or sigh, or ____ - or react physically in any way - you have a winner" (Scott Adams, Dilbert cartoonist) |
| HINTED | Said This answer starts with an H e.g. |
| SIGH | [Alas], and phonetically, what each theme answer starts with |
| BIGCITYINAFRICA | To get the contest answer, start with one of these |
| WHO | "Jeopardy!" answer start, often |
| PISFORPERIL | *No.16 in a Grafton series (note the progression at the starred answers' starts!) |
| TOPSECRET | Hush-hush, and a hint to the starred answers' starts |
| GRANDOPENING | Ribbon-cutting-occasion, and a hint to the starred answers' starts |
| BALL | Off pitch? ... and a hint to the starred answers' starts |
